The Vampire Diaries

:

Season 1
Season #: 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 550 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 414 out of 550
  2. Mixed: 58 out of 550
  3. Negative: 78 out of 550
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User Reviews

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  1. HannahSalvatore
    Aug 27, 2010
    10
    THIS IS DEFINITELY MY FAVORITE SHOW. (can you tell by my display name? ;) much better than twilight. Damon is my favorite character. If you have any taste in shows AT ALL, you will like the vampire diaries. (: Alot of action, drama, and good story line. If you havent seen it before, go check it out! I promise you, you will like it. I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE SECOND SEASON AND FOR ______ TOTHIS IS DEFINITELY MY FAVORITE SHOW. (can you tell by my display name? ;) much better than twilight. Damon is my favorite character. If you have any taste in shows AT ALL, you will like the vampire diaries. (: Alot of action, drama, and good story line. If you havent seen it before, go check it out! I promise you, you will like it. I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE SECOND SEASON AND FOR ______ TO COME ON THE SHOW. (you know who i mean :)… Expand
  2. johncj
    Nov 6, 2009
    8
    I hate to admit it, but this show is way better than it has any right to be. They actually found some decent actors, and they surprisingly avoid the worst cliches and cheesiness. Unlike Twilight, the main girl actually has some backbone and personality. A lot of people hating on this like True Blood. While the complex plot of True Blood is better, the acting is FAR WORSE than Vampire I hate to admit it, but this show is way better than it has any right to be. They actually found some decent actors, and they surprisingly avoid the worst cliches and cheesiness. Unlike Twilight, the main girl actually has some backbone and personality. A lot of people hating on this like True Blood. While the complex plot of True Blood is better, the acting is FAR WORSE than Vampire Diaries. Yeah, it's a teen vampire series, but so was Buffy, and Buffy was one of the best shows of its time if you could get past the silly name.… Expand
  3. MorganF.
    Sep 11, 2009
    7
    I enjoyed it. Yes, it does fit in with the vampire fad, and there are some cliches, but it will be entertaining enough. I hope it will get better. The actors are also pretty to look at.
  4. ShayS
    Sep 16, 2009
    6
    The show is good, the acting is okay, but the hole vampire theme is geting pretty sick. But i think the audince liked it, i mean the Teen- Drama Hit Series "Gossip Girl" got only 2.6 million viewers in each season, and this show got 4 million viewers.
  5. KyleJ.
    Sep 12, 2009
    8
    I actually liked it. There was a nice mix of humor and action, and as a whole it was much more enjoyable than the insufferable Twilight (it even has better-looking vampires, to boot). A guilty pleasure, sure, but a pleasure nonetheless. I look forward to next week's episode.
  6. FredP.
    Sep 12, 2009
    9
    I actually liked the pilot even though it was a bit predictable at times (probably due to all those trailers they showed us). Great acting, makes the story believable. I'm looking forward to watching the next episode. WAY better than the Twilight movie.
  7. oliver1h
    Jul 15, 2013
    1
    A vampire show for "girls" who want to have a fantasy threesome with the two model guys playing the "vampires". Vampires have never been this crappy before. I can not write much about the qualities of this soap-opera, because it has no qualities worth talking about. Badly written, badly acted, yet season 4 is being made. Good shows die every year, but this thing gets renewed. Well peopleA vampire show for "girls" who want to have a fantasy threesome with the two model guys playing the "vampires". Vampires have never been this crappy before. I can not write much about the qualities of this soap-opera, because it has no qualities worth talking about. Badly written, badly acted, yet season 4 is being made. Good shows die every year, but this thing gets renewed. Well people nowadays have incredibly low standards! This show somehow managed to make vampires look like a joke!… Expand
  8. crabrangoon
    Oct 5, 2013
    0
    Why does everyone's face have a shadow? so annoying. turn on some spot lights in the studios! The main character has no talent...once her "looks" go...gd luck in another career! cancel this garbage already!
  9. SomeoneYouDontKnow
    Dec 6, 2009
    10
    This show is HOT! Very well done, very different. Unlike the usual lame vampire movies and such, this is MUCH more interesting.
  10. WillowD
    Oct 10, 2009
    7
    First of all, let me start out by reminding everyone that The Vampire Diaries novels came long before the Twilight series. Like, a decade before (I was totally into them when I was 14 or so). And, as an added bonus, they are immeasurably better than the appalling insipid garbage that is Twilight. The Vampire Diaries show wasn't the best thing I've ever seen, but it certainly First of all, let me start out by reminding everyone that The Vampire Diaries novels came long before the Twilight series. Like, a decade before (I was totally into them when I was 14 or so). And, as an added bonus, they are immeasurably better than the appalling insipid garbage that is Twilight. The Vampire Diaries show wasn't the best thing I've ever seen, but it certainly wasn't horrible.… Expand
  11. JeanL.
    Oct 18, 2009
    10
    I love TVD! Its the best Vampire show on TV we've had for quite awhile. Great plot, great dialogues!
  12. ChrisF.
    Dec 12, 2009
    10
    I cannot believe so many people note this series so low. I truly believe that some people compare it to Twilight, which had more money, and others to True Blood, the vampire-porn series which had no money at all if we can analyze the poor acting provided in True Blood (a few nice actors excepted of course); I would say unequal. Anyway, to give it all: 1. Vampire Diaries has a plot that I cannot believe so many people note this series so low. I truly believe that some people compare it to Twilight, which had more money, and others to True Blood, the vampire-porn series which had no money at all if we can analyze the poor acting provided in True Blood (a few nice actors excepted of course); I would say unequal. Anyway, to give it all: 1. Vampire Diaries has a plot that seems to be guessed at first, then can surprise you and keep you hooked in episode after episode. Because you are tuned to its characters, you react just as they do. 2. It is acted perfectly. Damon is gorgeous and fascinating, Stefan is perfect though acted a bit slow, and all others keep a very perfect acting. 3. Ok, things are not like in the book. And I mean that as a quality. Vampire Diaries was written a long time ago (well, about fifteen years), and the TV series made me discover it and read it. Although I liked Vampire Diaries, it really needed modifications to be put into an interesting series, I mean, you need not to know what will happen one episode after the other, and the angel-thing from the books was a bit "much". So, things are here *better* than in the books, and it seems that not knowing the end keeps me in as well. Demonstrating that we know the real books isn't the point here. They have Americanized the story, but it also fits perfectly. Humour is even more present (thank you Damon !) and epic scenes as well. 4. Oh yes, we are far from True Blood porn. We have in Vampire Diaries romance, suspense, great acting and great actors. And I tell you, we also have more vampire mystery and nicer teeth ;-) It is indeed a TV series I can watch along with my wife, which is also a big plus. I can't understand why this series is so underrated. Hey people! fans of this series, please arm your keyboard and write out your opinion! can surprise you Actors play this well, so very well. At times… Expand
  13. CaitlinS
    Sep 14, 2009
    9
    I loved the pilot, it was really intriguing and I hope the rest of the series can live up to the standard. But the again I'm biased being a huge LJ Smith fan and Twilight hater. What people who give it bad reviews are not understanding is that Vampire diaries pretty much was the original and best teenage vampire love story. This craze may have been set off by stephenie meyer but LJ I loved the pilot, it was really intriguing and I hope the rest of the series can live up to the standard. But the again I'm biased being a huge LJ Smith fan and Twilight hater. What people who give it bad reviews are not understanding is that Vampire diaries pretty much was the original and best teenage vampire love story. This craze may have been set off by stephenie meyer but LJ Smith started it first. Don't listen to people who give it bad reviews, I know I have good taste and I don't like the other cheesy vampire soaps or high school musical and twilight crap but this one truly has promise and difference. And I might add a lot of them have seen it and hated it then come on here with the intention of slagging it off, most people I know enjoyed it. The one critiscm I have (apart from the veering off the original storyline which I'm not sure of yet) is the voice over diary. I mean, with Elena it's fine but Stefan I'm not so sure. But I can promise you the 9/10 is not an exaggeration from my part, the pilot truly deserved it. I can't wait to watch the next one!… Expand
  14. JohnDDunn
    Oct 22, 2015
    0
    I realize that I am late hearing about this show, but it's STILL too soon. This is by far the worst atrocity that I have ever seen on television, and I've seen that "two broke girls" show, so THIS one is really bad. The worst acting I've ever seen, the music makes zero sense per situation, the story line is ridiculous, and it's just all around the worst thing I've ever seen. The femaleI realize that I am late hearing about this show, but it's STILL too soon. This is by far the worst atrocity that I have ever seen on television, and I've seen that "two broke girls" show, so THIS one is really bad. The worst acting I've ever seen, the music makes zero sense per situation, the story line is ridiculous, and it's just all around the worst thing I've ever seen. The female lead, needs to take up a career in grocery bagging. However, when someone would hand her the groceries, she would probably just continually gasp and blink out of sync. dreadful.… Expand
  15. NoahF
    Jan 19, 2010
    10
    Great show. Way better than expected. Very deep script. Nothing immature or cheezy about this one.
  16. sakis
    Nov 9, 2009
    10
    I was skeptical the first couple of episodes, was going to stop watching it, but the show started getting better and better every episode!! Now i look forward to watching it! The girl main actor gets much better, at first she's portrayed as an airhead but thank god they fixed that..
  17. OliviaJ.
    Sep 12, 2009
    10
    Love love love it! Can't wait for next weeks episode. I'm no Twilight fan, and dont usually follow things like this. But i really enjoyed the premiere, cant wait to see what this show has in store! -oj
  18. Amy
    Dec 5, 2009
    8
    I enjoyed reading the books in school and the show is great for what it is- a teenage vampire soap opera. However, I think the main characters are more relatable and perhaps more mature than Twilight's.
  19. CynthiaL
    Sep 16, 2009
    7
    Vampire Diaries has some bad acting, corney fog effects, and generic model looks. But the characters are a bit more interesting than other CW teen offerings, and of course, there were vampires. The Lost guy is much much more attractive evil, and the lead female is endearing. Its not the Whedonverse or True Blood, but it has potential. We shall see.
  20. SeanM
    Sep 18, 2009
    7
    I'm definitely not in the target demo, but this is a pretty good show. young girls are gonna eat it up.
  21. Truejustice
    Jun 2, 2016
    0
    bleh... more like vampire diarrhea... boring plot, terrible acting, cliché moments... this is just a bad bad low grade show. Sorry dont like it it should be canceled...
  22. ana_melinte90
    Jan 24, 2014
    1
    I really liked the show, but now i am starting to get bored by it. It's so annoying to see characters almost die and then come back again for the 1000th time. And i don't really get why they don't respect the plot from the book, which is much more interesting than this dying and coming back thing.
  23. eagleeyeviking
    Dec 21, 2019
    5
    The Vampire Diaries may appeal to its target audience but not more. The plot is and pacing are good, but the characters are too one-sided and clichéd to care about.
  24. Phenomena
    Dec 30, 2013
    3
    I think that L.J Smith's books are so much better than the TV Show. The characters from the books like Stefan or Damon are much more intringing, mysterious and charismatic than the TV Show ones. I will never like the TV Show as much as the books. I love Damon from the books, he has much more sex appeal and mystery than Ian Somerhalder's overacted Damon, and he doesn't kill so much people!
  25. simonerodriguez
    Mar 13, 2016
    0
    This show is fun to watch, you just have to make sure that you turn the volume down. Things like plot, acting, writing, etc. seem to just get in the way. I saw this and it was the best post i have ever seen on a review
  26. marc5477
    Jan 23, 2015
    0
    Might be ok for early teen girls, for everyone else its a pukefest of whiny, moping and unintelligible characters. I sat through the 1st season because my wife wanted to give it a shot after watching the Originals and by episode 8, even she couldn't take it seriously and started playing games on her laptop during episodes. I hate every character in the show especially the worthless ElenaMight be ok for early teen girls, for everyone else its a pukefest of whiny, moping and unintelligible characters. I sat through the 1st season because my wife wanted to give it a shot after watching the Originals and by episode 8, even she couldn't take it seriously and started playing games on her laptop during episodes. I hate every character in the show especially the worthless Elena and the retarded vampire brothers. You would think after living 150 years they would have gotten a little smarter but apparently their intelligence is fixed to high school level. I think for a grand finale, they should hire Wesley Snipes and have Blade eviscerate and stomp all over every character in the show until they turn into pudding.

    How does anybody watch this and keep a straight a face? And here I thought Teen Wolf was a joke.    … Expand
  27. chidime
    May 27, 2013
    3
    never hated a show like I do this one. The only reason why it doesn't get a zero is because the storyline is good. The show is annoying because the acting is so bad but with a good storyline such that I keep on watching it just to see where the story goes. However, the more I watch the more annoyed I get, but I can't stop myself. This show is stupid, to put in simpler words.
  28. MashedPotatoes
    Jan 24, 2010
    10
    This show is good, and addicting. I can't wait for more episodes to come out so I can watch what happens next. The biggest plus though is the acting. Everyone is soo good and believable. The storyline is good as well. Awesome!!
  29. todayor
    Oct 21, 2011
    3
    This show is fun to watch, you just have to make sure that you turn the volume down. Things like plot, acting, writing, etc. seem to just get in the way.
  30. IainC
    Feb 2, 2010
    0
    Yet more, vampires are cool, sexy, mysterious & misunderstood, angst ridden garbage. Gets everything wrong that buffy got right. 2 episodes and not a single blood sucker's been staked yet.
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Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best TV Season of 2009
5
#5 Most Discussed TV Season of 2009
3
#3 Most Shared TV Season of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
50

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 22
  3. Negative: 7 out of 22
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    83
    Diaries promises us a season of sharp-tongued amusement.
    Read full review
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    0
    You will want all the extras who played vamps on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (which was great, by the way, and not to be blamed for this lackluster cousin) to return en masse to eat the cast of "Vampire Diaries," plus any remaining scripts.
    Read full review
  3. Salon
    Reviewed by: Heather Havrilesky
    20
    Pretty, sensible teenage vampires who talk like depressed extras on "Hannah Montana"? Why, Diary? Why?
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »